Bait Fishing: How to make a one hook strayline rig

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What the frig is a “rig”?

When hooks, sinkers, trace line, swivels and other tackle are laid out and tied together in a certain format, they make a fishing "rig". The rig is tied on to the mainline on your reel, and you’re good to go.

In this tutorial we'll show you how to make a one hook strayline rig, which is one of the simplest and most effective bait fishing rigs you can use. It’s great for catching popular eating fish like snapper, kahawai and others around New Zealand’s shorelines.

Fishing with a strayline rig or ‘straylining’ is a popular fishing technique because it presents your bait in a way that looks natural in the water and tasty to fish.

One hook strayline rig with bead & bean sinker

Single hook strayline rig with ball sinker

Tackle list:

Here are the bits of the tackle you'll need to put together your one hook strayline rig:

How to Make a One Hook Strayline Rig

STEP 1:

STEP 2:

At one other end of your trace line attach to a swivel using a uni knot, or attach the trace line to the mainline using a knot like the modified albright.

(If you prefer you can do this step last).

Swivel attached to mainline and trace

STEP 3:

At the other end of the line pass your trace through the hole in the sinker (it will slide along your trace line and act as an aid to help your bait naturally drift down in the water).

Thread trace through sinker

STEP 4:

If using a bead, slide this on the trace line. A bead between the sinker and hook helps to protect the knot. It stops the sinker banging against the it which can eventually wearing the line which can cause it to break.

Thread bead so it closest to end of trace

STEP 5:

Tie the hook on to the other end of the line. The eye makes a difference to how you actually attach the hook. The main thing to note is that you don't HAVE TO tie the line around the shank of the hook.

Straight eye:

If your hook has a straight eye - use a uni knot or similar

Uni knot on hook with a straight eye

Offset eye:

If your hook has an offset eye – use a modified uni, snell or longline knot to tie the line around the shank of the hook.

If you use the wrong type of knot the hook will sit at a strange angle and you won’t get the right angle for the hook to sink securely into the fish’s mouth.

Modified uni knot with offset hook eye

STEP 6:

Trim the extra trace line (the tag end) and pull the trace and knots nice and tight. When you do this be careful where you place your thumb and hand. If it slips when you’re pulling hard you might hook yourself up. Ouch!

At the other end of your trace line attach to a swivel using a uni knot, or attach the trace line to the mainline using a knot like the modified albright.